Self-Care Tips & Articles

While trauma work can be very rewarding, it can also be very painful and stressful.  Finding your self-care practice for healing from or managing these stressors is essential both for your well being as well as for those you are supporting in recovery.  Below is a list of healing and coping practices named by local Alameda County providers and agency staff members.  Top mentioned practices have been highlighted in bold.  If you would like to share a practice, please email Lori.DeLay@acgov.org.

Senior couple on cycle ride

Mindfulness Based Practices

Relaxation Techniques

  • Breathing
  • Meditation
  • Body scan
  • Pregressive relaxation
  • Reading
  • Short, focused intervals of relaxation and centering
  • Music
  • Proper sleep
  • Time away from work
  • Tai Chi
  • Hot spring

Supervision

  • Clinical supervision
  • Trainings
  • Colleagues/supervisors
  • Doing supervision at work
  • Reflective Supervision
  • Weekly
  • Peer consultation
  • Consultation in group and individually (Case consultation)
  • Debrief difficult clinical interactions/relationships

Therapy/Counseling

  • 1:1 and peer support
  • Weekly or Bi-weekly (or as needed) counseling or therapy
  • Availability of Employee Assistance Program
  • Individual psychotherapy
  • Ability to work through issues with supervisor and clinical supervision
  • Ability to work through issues on my own

Body-Based Practices

Community and Family Support

  • Family
  • Friends
  • 12-step programs
  • Church
  • Coordination of service teams
  • Planned fun!
  • Trans community groups
  • Colleagues

Spirituality and Religion

  • Attending church
  • Buddhist practice
  • Cultural practices
  • Prayer
  • Finding a weekly spiritual practice

Other

  • Resources in Response to Tragedies
  • Books on the Topic
  • Gardening
  • Continuing Education of Trauma and its Effects
  • Dancing
  • Socializing
  • Swimming
  • Community Service Projects (seeing immediate impact!)
  • Time in Nature
  • Regularly Reviewing Successes
  • Surfing
  • Supportive Staff and Supervisors
  • All of the above categories

Additional Self-Care Resources and Articles: